Popcorn package



1964 R. B. CARTWRIGHT 3,144,194

POPCORN PACKAGE Filed Nov. 6, 1961 INVENTOR ROBERT 5. CARTWR/GHT BY r omma'x United States Patent 3,144,194 POPCORN PACKAGE Robert ll. Cartwright, La Grange, Ill., assignor to Chicago Carton Company, Cook County, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 150,347 7 Claims. (Cl. 229-51) This invention relates to an improvement in popcorn package and deals particularly with a receptacle including a pan of foil or like metal and a protective cover panel which may be readily opened.

For some time, popcorn has been sold in foil containers which may be used to contain the popcorn both before and during the popping operation. These containers are usually closed by means of a cover panel of paperboard. Beneath the paperboard cover is an inner covering member usually formed of foil capable of expanding to form a drum shaped top to enclose the popcorn during the popping operation. When the corn is .to be popped, the paperboard cover is removed and the pan placed upon a stove and heated until the corn is popped. During this time the expandable cover slowly expands until the popping operation is completed.

One of the difiiculties which has been experienced with this construction lies in the fact that unless the cover panel is carefully removed, the expandable inner cover may be punctured, permitting the escape of the contents. As the marginal edge of the cover is held in place by the crimping of the edge of the pan, the cover must be carefully removed to protect the inner expandable cover. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover having an outer periphery which remains crimped in the periphery of the pan and which includes a center portion which may be readily removed and discarded.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel and effective means of removing the center portion of the cover panel without disturbing the marginal rim thereof. In the formation of the cover panel, a weakened line of separation is provided just inwardly of the marginal edge of the cover panel and which may be used to divide the center portion of the cover panel from the encircling rim thereof. A second weakened line of separation has one end terminating in closely spaced relation to the first weakened line of separation and diverges inwardly to provide a continuously wider area between the two weakened lines. A out line connects the outer end of the second weakened line of separation to the first to provide access to the under side of the cover panel. By grasping a portion of the cover panel between the weakened lines of separation, and exerting an upward pull thereupon, the cover panel will tear to the end of the second weakened line. A continued upward pull may result in separating the cover panel along the first weakened line of separation entirely about the cover panel so that the center portion may be removed, leaving the marginal rim of the cover panel clamped between the marginal flanges of the pan.

A further feature of the present invention resides in providing weakened lines of separation which comprise a circular cut score line extending partially through the paperboard from the upper surface thereof inwardly of the margin of the cover panel and a second concentric line extending partially through the paperboard from the under surface thereof, the paperboard tearing intermediate the surfaces upon separation. Preferably, the second weakened line also includes a cut score line in diverging relation to the concentric cut score lines and in the outer surface of the paperboard, and a second parallel cut score line in the under surface of the paperboard outwardly of the outer cut score line and between the outer cut score line and the concentric cut score line.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the fact that by leaving the peripheral rim of the cover panel clamped within the marginal edge of the panshaped receptacle, this rim may be used for holding the inner expandable cover in place. If the cover panel were removed in its entirety, some other means would be required for attaching the marginal edges of the pan and expandable cover.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a pair of cut lines which communicate with the connecting cut lines and preferably intersect the connecting cut line. The cut lines of the pair extend for a short distance along the weakened lines of separation and provide an effective means of providing access to the end of the area between the weakened line and of starting the tearing operation.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification;

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the closed receptacle in readiness for use.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the start of the cover-removing operation.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the cover panel.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the cover panel after it has been partially opened.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the rim of the cover panel after the center portion has been removed.

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the center portion of the cover panel after it has been removed.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view through a portion of the cover, the position of the section being indicated by the line 77 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the periphery of the packages.

The popcorn package is shown in its completed form in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. The package includes a pan-shaped receptacle 10 having a circular bottom panel, not illustrated, and an upwardly and outwardly inclined side wall portion 11. As indicated in FIGURE 8, the upper edge of the side wall 11 is provided with an outturned flange 12. The flange 12 is connected by the rounded outer portion 13 to the inwardly crimped retaining flange 14 which overlies the peripheral edge of the cover panel which is indicated in general by the numeral 15. The expandable inner cover 16 is marginally clamped between the rim of the cover panel 15 and the flange 14.

As indicated in the drawings, the outer or upper surface of the cover panel 15 is provided with a circular cut score line 17 which extends partially through the paperboard, terminating short of the under surface. A concentric cut score line 19 of slightly shorter radius is provided in the under surface of the paperboard, the cut score line 19 also extending but partially through the paperboard. When the center portion of the cover panel is opened, the board splits between the upper and lower surfaces between the cut score linm 17 and 19.

A curved cut score line 20 is provided in the outer surface of the cover panel 15, the line 20 having an end 21 which terminates in spaced relation to the concentric score lines 17 and 19 and relatively close thereto. The score line 20 diverges inwardly away from the concentric score lines 17 and 19 so that the area defined between the weakened lines of separation gradually increases in width. A parallel cut score line 22 is provided in the under surface of the panel 15 in spaced relation to the out line 20 and parallel thereto. The cut score line 22 is outwardly of the cut score line 20 or between the cut score line 20 and the concentric lines 17 and 19.

A out line 23' extends from the end 21 of the cut score line 20 to the outer cut score line 17. A pair of cut lines 23 and 24 intersect the out line 23' at the ends thereof, the out line 23 extending a short distance along the outer cut score line :17 and the out line 24 extending ashort distance along the cut score line 20, This arrangement provides a generally rectangular tab 25 between the cut lines 23 and 24 and extending to the out line 23' which may be flexed downwardly or inwardly an amount suflicient to permit the area of the panel on the opposite side of the cut score line to be engaged be tween the fingers. By pressing the tab 25 downwardly, the tab 26 on the opposite side of the out line 23' may be grasped and pulled upwardly, tearing the paperboard between the cut score lines 17 and 19, and between the cut score lines 20' and 22.

Because of this arrangement, the area between the weakened lines of separation may be drawn upwardly in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2. A further upward pull upon this area, permits this area to be used as a handle to pull the remainder of the center portion away from the rim. As a result, the top panel 15 is divided into a ringlike rim section which is indicated in general by the numeral 27, and a disklike center portion 29 which is discarded. Due to the fact that the ring shaped peripheral portion 27 remains crimped in the eripheral edge of the pan 10, the marginal edge of the expandable cover portion 16 also remains peripherally attached to the pan, and this cover portion expands through the opening formed in the rim portion 27 as the corn is popped.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in popcorn package, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I'claim:

1. In combination, a pan and a removable pan cover,

7 the cover comprising a disk of paperboard, and the pan including a bottom, upwardly extending side walls, an outwardly extending peripheral flange at the topof said walls on which said cover rests, and an inturned flange marginally secured to said outwardly extending flange and overlying the marginal edge of said cover, the cover including a weakened line of separation inwardly of said marginal edge including a circular cut score line extending partially through the paperboard from the upper surface thereof inwardly of said marginal edge of said cover, and a concentric circular cut score line of slightly shorter radius extending partially through said paperboard from the under surface thereof, a second relatively short cut score line in the upper surface of the paperboard terminating at one end in closely spaced relation to said concentric out score lines and diverging inwardly toward the center of the cover and terminating in a more widely spaced relation to said concentric score lines, and a cut score line in the under surface of the paperboard running parallel to said second score line and between said second cut score line and said concentric cut score lines, said relatively short cut score lines extending but a relatively short angular distance as compared to the concentric cut score lines, and a out line connecting said outer concentric cut score line to said one end of said second cut score line.

2. The structure of claim 1 and including cut lines extending along said outer concentric cut score line and along said second cut score line for a short distance and communicating with said connecting cut line.

3. The structure of claim -1 and including a pair or cut lines extending for a short distance along one of said concentric cut score lines and along said second cut score line communicating with said connecting cut line.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said cut lines of said pair intersect said connecting out line.

5. In combination, a pan and a removable pan cover, the cover comprising a disk of paperboard, and the pan including a bottom, upwardly extending side walls, an outwardly extending peripheral flange at the top of said side walls on which said cover rests, and an inturned flange marginally secured to said outwardly extending flange and overlying the marginal edge of said cover, the cover including a weakened line of separation inwardly of said marginal edge including a circular cut score line extending partially through the paperboard from the upper surface thereof inwardly of said marginal edge of said cover, and a concentric circular cut score line of slightly shorter radius extending partially through said paperboard from the under surface thereof, a second weakened line of separation in said disk, a second relatively short weakened line of separation in said disk terminating at one end in closely spaced relation to said concentric cut score lines and diverging inwardly toward the center of the cover and terminating in a more widely spaced relation to said concentric score lines, said second weakened line of separation extending but a relatively short angular distance as compared to said concentric cut score lines, and a out line connecting said outer concentric cut score line to said one end of said seond weakened line of separation.

6. The structure of claim 5 and including a pair of cut lines communicating with said connecting out line and extending for a short distance along said second weakened line and along one of said concentric cut score lines.

7. The structure of claim 6 and in which said cut lines of said pair intersect said connecting out line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,673,806 Colman Mar. 30, 1954 2,777,601 Cheeley Jan. 15, 1957 2,819,976 Hines Jan. 14,1958 2,946,478 Clair et al July 26,1960 2,953,293 Anderson Sept. 20, 1960 3,054,680 Mennen Sept. 18, 1962 

1. IN COMBINATION, A PAN AND A REMOVABLE PAN COVER, THE COVER COMPRISING A DISK OF PAPERBOARD, AND THE PAN INCLUDING A BOTTOM, UPWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE WALLS, AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING PERIPHERAL FLANGE AT THE TOP OF SAID WALLS ON WHICH SAID COVER RESTS, AND AN INTURNED FLANGE MARGINALLY SECURED TO SAID OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE AND OVERLYING THE MARGINAL EDGE OF SAID COVER, THE COVER INCLUDING A WEAKENED LINE OF SEPARATION INWARDLY OF SAID MARGINAL EDGE INCLUDING A CIRCULAR CUT SCORE LINE EXTENDING PARTIALLY THROUGH THE PAPERBOARD FROM THE UPPER SURFACE THEREOF INWARDLY OF SAID MARGINAL EDGE OF SAID COVER, AND A CONCENTRIC CIRCULAR CUT SCORE LINE OF SLIGHTLY SHORTER RADIUS EXTENDING PARTIALLY THROUGH SAID PAPERBOARD FROM THE UNDER SURFACE THEREOF, A SECOND RELATIVELY SHORT CUT SCORE LINE IN THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE PAPERBOARD TERMINATING AT ONE END IN CLOSELY SPACED RELATION TO SAID CONCENTRIC CUT SCORE LINES AND DIVERGING INWARDLY TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE COVER AND TERMINATING IN A MORE WIDELY SPACED RELATION TO SAID CONCENTRIC SCORE LINES, AND A CUT SCORE LINE IN THE UNDER SURFACE OF THE PAPERBOARD RUNNING PARALLEL TO SAID SECOND SCORE LINE AND BETWEEN SAID SECOND CUT SCORE LINE AND SAID CONCENTRIC CUT SCORE LINES, SAID RELATIVELY SHORT CUT SCORE LINES EXTENDING BUT A RELATIVELY SHORT ANGULAR DISTANCE AS COMPARED TO THE CONCENTRIC CUT SCORE LINES, AND A CUT LINE CONNECTING SAID OUTER CONCENTRIC CUT SCORE LINE TO SAID ONE END OF SAID SECOND CUT SCORE LINE. 